Pubdate: Sat, 31 Dec 2005
Source: Sunstar Manila (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2304
Author: Jff/Sunnex
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

DRUG AGENCY DISMANTLES 11 DRUG LABS, 5 STORAGE FACILITIES IN 2005

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law
enforcement agencies under its operational supervision raided seven
shabu laboratories and four ketamine laboratories and discovered five
chemical storage facilities in 2005.

PDEA Director General Anselmo Avenido Jr. said the dismantling of 11
laboratories resulted in the seizure of P813.5 million worth of
illegal drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, and
laboratory equipment.

He said the discovery of five chemical storage facilities also
resulted in the confiscation of P130.9 million worth of illegal drugs,
controlled precursors and essential chemicals, and laboratory equipment.

Avenido, in his year-end report, said: "Although the PDEA is still in
its organizational stage and transition phase, it has been able to
fulfill its steadfast commitment to perform its mandate as the lead
agency in drug law enforcement and as the principal implementing arm
of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)."

During the same period, anti-narcotics authorities conducted 13.004
anti-drug operations that led to the seizure of P4.6 billion worth of
dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, and
laboratory equipment. These included 38.1 kilos of shabu, 5,810.29
kilos of dried marijuana leaves, 8.5 million pieces of marijuana
plants, 739,562 pieces of marijuana seedlings, and other assorted
precursors and essential chemicals and laboratory equipment.

In 2005, anti-drug authorities neutralized six transnational drug
groups and 86 local drug groups, 69 of which were included in the
target list of known local drug groups.

As a result of continuing anti-drug operations, 18,979 drug
personalities broken down into 1,618 possessors, 8,720 pushers, 8,592
users, 45 cultivators, and four financiers were arrested during the
year.

Also, 29 foreign nationals were arrested, of whom 19 were from
mainland China. Of the foreign nationals, one Chinese and one
Taiwanese were involved in the operation of clandestine laboratories.
At least 12,608 cases were likewise filed in court against the drug
suspects.

Avenido said the strengthening of interdiction operations in various
seaports and airports resulted in the seizure and confiscation of 1.44
kilograms of shabu at the Manila International Container Port and 1.5
tons of pseudoephedrine at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
(Naia) Terminal 2 and the arrest of 10 foreign nationals.

In marijuana eradication, 2005 saw the eradication of 161 marijuana
plantation sites and the arrest of 45 cultivators. Marijuana plants
uprooted during the year had a total worth of P1.71 billion.

In compliance with its mandate, the PDEA destroyed P2.4 billion worth
of seized drugs in 2005. Among them were 422 kilograms of shabu, 2.2
tons of marijuana, 2.8 tons of ephedrine and other controlled chemicals.

For 2005, a total of P7.32 million monetary rewards were given to 58
informants of "Operation: Private Eye," the PDEA's rewards and
incentives scheme to encourage the citizenry to provide information
that would lead to the recovery of illegal drugs and arrest of
illegal drug personalities.

Avenido said the drug agency strengthened its institutional
capabilities through the conduct of intelligence workshops to update
the existing lists of target personalities. The PDEA also conducted
sustained preventive education efforts through lectures and seminars
on anti-drug awareness, he added.

He said the PDEA also continued to forge strong bilateral
relationships with foreign countries such as Japan, the US, Australia,
China, Singapore, Hong Kong and other countries composing the Asean
Senior Officials Meeting on Dangerous Drugs (Asod) and the Heads of
National Law Enforcement Agencies on Dangerous Drugs (Honlea) through
liaisoning activities, intelligence exchanges and regional meetings.

Last December, the PDEA and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (US
DEA) jointly hosted in Manila the two-day meeting of the International
Drug Enforcement Conference Far East Working Group (IDEC-FEWG). The
PDEA chief is the current chairman of IDEC-FEWG. 
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MAP posted-by: Tom